Written by

Samantha DiDio

Staff Writer

The thought of leaving behind a childhood pet while away at college has driven many Florida State University students to adopt their own. For those who suffer without their critters, many don’t realize that the benefits of owning a pet while in school often outweigh the costs.

“The best part about owning a dog is the joy he brings me,” FSU senior Sara Green said. “Taking care of my dog is a rewarding experience and to see him happy and having fun can’t help but put a smile on my face.”

Green chose to adopt her dog Chance from the local Tallahassee Humane Society after realizing his time was limited. Even with her busy schedule, being a full time student with an internship and a job, Green found that taking care of her dog turned out to be a privilege rather than a chore.

“Owning a dog has taught me a lot of responsibility and compassion,” Green said. “I am totally selfless when it comes to him in a way I never knew I could be. Any extra time during the day I just want to take him to the dog park and any extra money I get I want to buy him new toys.”

According to The British Journal of Health Psychology, “Animals directly promote our well-being by buffering us from stress.” Maybe it’s their innate sense of knowing when to comfort us when we’re feeling down; maybe it’s the joy we get from watching them roll over successfully on command; or maybe it’s the trust they instill in us that they will always be there. Animals provide humans with a sense of pure bliss and happiness.

“Owning a pet has taught me everyday about how to look to the little things for happiness,” FSU junior Rachel Johnson said. “He is so full of life and energy and helps me understand more about being patient and kind in my everyday life.”

Johnson adopted her corgi-lab mix Adobe over Christmas break. Although she “saved” him from a shelter in Broward County, Fla., she believes Adobe saved her.
“You have this immediate connection when you first see your pet—it’s very strange, but one of the surest feelings in the world,” Johnson said.

Many students also opt for a cuddle buddy with less maintenance. For students who may not have the time to go on daily walks with their dog, cats are a good alternative, and can be adopted from the Tallahassee Animal Shelter. FSU junior Dave Goodman grew up in a house full of animals. When he moved away for college, He missed the constant company, but he didn’t think he had enough time to take care of a pet.

“After my friend Megan brought her cat over one night, I decided I wanted to have a cat again since I saw how easy they were to take care of,” Goodman said. “My cat Ellie is always there to entertain me and keep me company which is definitely the best part of owning a pet. The only bad thing really is cleaning the litter box.”

While dorms on campus are not considered pet-friendly, many apartment complexes and houses in town allow students to share their space with their animal friends.For those who live on-campus, organizations have held “rent a puppy” or “de-stress with pets” events during finals week. The gatherings are both beneficial to students and the shelters as the animals rarely get to play. Student residing in dorms can’t have big pets, but they can take advantage of owning small ones like a fish or turtle.

“I rescued both of my turtles and didn’t want to let them end up in the same situation I found them in, so I decided to keep them,” FSU senior McKenzie Fitzpatrick said. “They are fun to show people and do homework with.”